***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Trust for The National Mall Launches Historic Public/Private Partnership

Interior Department, National Park Service and Trust leadership kick off unprecedented, multi-million dollar effort to restore and maintain national park

Washington, DC – On Thursday, November 15th, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, National Park Service Deputy Director Lindi Harvey and National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Peggy O’Dell will join the Trust for the National Mall Chairman Chip Akridge at a press conference to launch the Trust for the National Mall, the official partner of the National Park Service to help restore and preserve the National Mall.

The Trust for the National Mall is a not-for-profit organization that will help raise private-sector funds needed to revitalize “America’s Front Yard” to a place of beauty for enjoyment for generations to come. The National Mall was included in the initial list of certified eligible projects of President Bush's National Park Centennial Initiative, which calls for $1 billion over 10 years to strengthen basic park operations, and a challenge from President Bush to create a public-private funding vehicle of up to $2 billion for new projects and programs with the goal of a $100 million public-private match each year for 10 years. The Trust for the National Mall will help leverage these funds to preserve the National Mall.

The 10:00 AM event will include a brief civics lesson taught by “George Washington” to students from Ann Beers Elementary School. The students, park and Trust leadership, and volunteers from D.C. gardening clubs will kick off restoration efforts by planting 3,000 daffodil bulbs in Constitution Gardens.

Press conference participants will be available for interviews following the program. To schedule an interview with Secretary Kempthorne, please call Chris Paolino at (202) 208-5338. To schedule an interview with other speakers, please contact Rachel Fox at the number above.

WHO:

Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior Dirk KempthorneDeputy Director of the National Park Service, Lindi Harvey
National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent, Peggy O'Dell
Trust for the National Mall Chairman Chip Akridge & Board of Directors

WHEN:

Thursday, November 15th, 10:00 AM (Please arrive by 9:45 to pre-set)

WHERE:

Constitution Gardens on the National Mall
(Corner of Constitution & 17th Streets) Volunteers will be on-site to direct
news media to press conference site located immediately west of the
WWII Memorial.

PARKING:

There is no parking for crew cars. News media are directed to park on 17th
or 18th Street, north of Constitution Avenue and to then walk to the press
conference site.